URUGUAY (4 August)
Planting of the 2003/04 wheat and barley crops continues under generally dry weather. Official forecasts indicate that intended plantings of wheat should decrease from 2002/03 level and should be a below average 110 000 hectares to 115 000 hectares, considerably below the average of 156 000 hectares of the past 5 years. By contrast, the area planted to barley is expected to increase and some 116 000 hectares are anticipated, which compares to the past 5-year average of 89 000 hectares. Land is being prepared for planting of the paddy and maize crops from October.